phrase

Faustian Bargain

A deal that gives you what you want now at the cost of something you'll regret losing later — typically your soul, or its modern equivalents.

Origin

From the German legend of Doctor Faust, made famous by Christopher Marlowe (Doctor Faustus, c. 1592) and Goethe (Faust, 1808–1832). A brilliant scholar sells his soul to the demon Mephistopheles in exchange for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasure for a fixed term. The term ends; Mephistopheles collects.

Modern usage

Used constantly in political, technological, and ethical commentary — accepting authoritarian support to win an election, taking VC money on aggressive terms, building a product on someone else's platform. Anything where the price is delayed and personal.

In the wild

Selling the company to that buyer was a Faustian bargain — they got rich, and the product died.— tech press

Pandora's Box

An action that, once taken, releases problems that cannot be put back.

concept

Modern Mythology

The One Ring

Power that corrupts everyone who tries to use it, no matter their intentions.

phrase

Biblical & Christian

Forbidden Fruit

Something tempting precisely because it is off-limits.

kiso.to